YANGON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases reached 201 with more than half of the patients having recovered as of Saturday morning, according to figures from the Health and Sports Ministry.

Two returnees in Chin state, who were under quarantine after their recent arrival from Malaysia, tested positive on Saturday.

Myanmar reported its first two confirmed cases of the disease on March 23.

A total of 17,875 samples have been tested in the country. Of the total confirmed patients, 116 have recovered and six deaths have been recorded, according to the ministry's figures.

"We found that 61 percent of the confirmed patients are asymptomatic, which is quite worrisome. At present, we can say that the situation in our country is under control and the health authorities are trying their utmost in contact tracing and in cutting chains of transmission," Director Than Naing Soe of Health Knowledge Promotion Division under the ministry, told Xinhua.

Regionally, Yangon region registered the most COVID-19 cases of 156, while no case has been detected in Kayah state.

Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe for Health and Sports told a recent parliamentary meeting that the testing capacity of COVID-19 will be boosted starting next month.

At present, the samples are being tested at laboratories in Yangon.

Plans are underway to expand the virus testing capability at public health laboratories in other cities like Mandalay of Mandalay region, Mawlamyine of Mon state, Taunggyi and Lashio of Shan state, the minister said.

People are advised to stay at home if possible, to take physical distancing measures and to follow the ministry's health instructions to curb the spread of the virus, the ministry's recent release said.